A review of affordable vehicles and getting cheap car insurance for first time drivers

Driving the Right Car

You’ve waited your whole life to get your license, and you’ve been spent hours upon hours daydreaming about the kind of car you’ll drive. While the majority of first time drivers likely imagined themselves driving a fast or luxurious vehicle, the reality is that those are the worst choices when it comes to car insurance.

Not only will a fast or luxurious vehicle cost more to purchase or lease, but they will cost even more when it comes time to pay for a car insurance premium. Those kind of cars are usually more expensive to repair or replace, and with the assumption that most first time drivers engage in riskier behavior than experienced drivers, it is only logical that car insurance companies charge more to insure them which went into more detail by Shaun in a previous article. If you are looking to buy a used a new or used vehicle I have selected a list of five vehicles all rated by Edmunds and CarMD’s Vehicle Health Index for dependability, lower rates, and great cars for new drivers.

2103 Chevy Malibu

2013 Chevy Mailbu – This is the most affordable midsize car which gets great gas mileage. The 2013 model has a redesign which has rave reviews from Car and Driver, USA Today, Edmonds, and Cars.com

2009 Honda Accord – This vehicle may cost a little more, but you may be able to get it at a bargain price being 4 years old. When the 2009 Honda came out critics where amazed at its performance and safety rating.

2010 Volkswagon Jetta – Some critics claim the Jetta not to be as reliable, however you should be able to get this vehicle at relatively low price plus it gets over 32 mile per gallon on the freeway. If you can find one with a diesel engine the MPG is over 42! Sure the price of diesel may be higher, but that is pretty good gas mileage!

2011 Hyundai Sonata – This vehicle is a great choice since it has a bolder look and if you can find one with 40,000 miles or more you can get it for a steal. High mileage? Don’t worry about since the maker claims as long as the vehicle is taken care of it will last for 200,000 miles.

2012 Toyota Camry – This is definitely worth a test drive even if it may cost a little more. If you like comfort,

2013 Toyota Camry

technology, and a little power check it out. Even Motortrend has claimed, “It can arguably be the best in it class in 20 years”.

By opting to drive a reliable, older used car, you could potentially save hundreds of dollars on your car insurance premium.

It is often assumed that first time drivers will pay significantly more in car insurance. While that is frequently the case, it doesn’t have to be. By knowing what options are available, and how to make the right choices, first time drivers will be able to find the best deals out there for them and get the car insurance that they want at a decent price.

Family Policy

One of the easiest and most commonly seen ways for first time drivers to get affordable car insurance is to become part of a collective or family insurance policy. With this type of scenario, the policy holder is usually the head of the household, though they don’t necessarily have to be. Additionally, the owner of a collective or family policy is usually an experienced driver.

When a first time driver is added to a collective or family policy, they are typically listed as a driver of one of the cars that is insured. The insurance is not in their name, but rather in that of the policy holder. The advantage of being as a secondary driver on an insurance account is that you’ll end up paying less to be covered than you would have if you had gotten insurance of your own.

First Time Driver Incentive Plans

Car insurance companies are very well aware that first time drivers could be potential long-term customers. While insurance companies have to assume some risks by insuring a first time driver, they also need to give some kind of incentive to convince a first time driver to become a customer.

That is why many car insurance companies are offering first time driver incentive plans to help new drivers get very cheap car insurance. These incentive plans may include:

Discounts for good grades

Discounts for completing a driver’s education course

Discounts for hitting milestones (6 months with no accidents or infractions)

When you contact insurance companies to sign up for insurance, be sure to inquire as to whether or not they offer some kind of incentive plan for first time drivers.

Choosing the Right Amount of Insurance

The cost of your insurance premium largely depends on how much insurance you decide that you need. If you over-insure yourself, you are going to pay more for car insurance. By becoming an informed consumer as to what each type of coverage entails, you’ll be able to choose the perfect amount of coverage for your needs.

Avoiding Risks

There’s a reason why first time drivers have to pay more for car insurance. The reason why is that many first time drivers take unnecessary risks while driving, be it using their cell phone, speeding, or failing to recognize traffic signs and symbols.

It is important for first time drivers to be incredibly mindful on the road, and to drive the speed limit. While peer pressure can be tough to overcome, doing so can help first time drivers get the best rate possible.

Shopping Around

Once you’ve evaluated each of the aforementioned factors, the last, and most important thing to do to get lower insurance for first time drivers is to shop around.

By shopping around, you’ll be able to get the cheapest rate available for the exact amount of coverage you need.

So how can you go about finding the cheapest rates for first time drivers? It’s actually easier than you think. Once you have a vehicle in mind be sure to compare rates for each. It may surprise you that older vehicles at times can cost more to insure than new ones.

It should be noted that the cheapest car insurance policy isn’t always the best and you may want to check out this article to keep your rates low. It is always important to follow up with a few insurance companies before making a decision. Doing that will guarantee that you get maximum coverage for the lowest price possible.

Penny Adams is a freelance professional writer with great knowledge of what Google likes. Articles written are original, highly researched, and complete with sources listed. When not writing or telephone fund raising for non-profit organizations, I enjoy spending time with my daughter and granddaughter, growing food, and exploring the great outdoors in Michigan.

On 08/06/2013 / Teen driving / Comments Off on A review of affordable vehicles and getting cheap car insurance for first time drivers